CN108073367B - Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium Download PDF

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Publication number
CN108073367B
CN108073367B CN201711081523.3A CN201711081523A CN108073367B CN 108073367 B CN108073367 B CN 108073367B CN 201711081523 A CN201711081523 A CN 201711081523A CN 108073367 B CN108073367 B CN 108073367B
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Prior art keywords
binding
jam
sheet
sheets
processing
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CN201711081523.3A
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CN108073367A (en
Inventor
金本好司
饭田利彦
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Canon Inc
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Canon Inc
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/70—Detecting malfunctions relating to paper handling, e.g. jams
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/121—Facilitating exception or error detection and recovery, e.g. fault, media or consumables depleted
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26F—PERFORATING; PUNCHING; CUTTING-OUT; STAMPING-OUT; SEVERING BY MEANS OTHER THAN CUTTING
    • B26F1/00—Perforating; Punching; Cutting-out; Stamping-out; Apparatus therefor
    • B26F1/0092—Perforating means specially adapted for printing machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26F—PERFORATING; PUNCHING; CUTTING-OUT; STAMPING-OUT; SEVERING BY MEANS OTHER THAN CUTTING
    • B26F1/00—Perforating; Punching; Cutting-out; Stamping-out; Apparatus therefor
    • B26F1/02—Perforating by punching, e.g. with relatively-reciprocating punch and bed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42B—PERMANENTLY ATTACHING TOGETHER SHEETS, QUIRES OR SIGNATURES OR PERMANENTLY ATTACHING OBJECTS THERETO
    • B42B5/00—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching
    • B42B5/08—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching by finger, claw or ring-like elements passing through the sheets, quires or signatures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42B—PERMANENTLY ATTACHING TOGETHER SHEETS, QUIRES OR SIGNATURES OR PERMANENTLY ATTACHING OBJECTS THERETO
    • B42B5/00—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching
    • B42B5/08—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching by finger, claw or ring-like elements passing through the sheets, quires or signatures
    • B42B5/10—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching by finger, claw or ring-like elements passing through the sheets, quires or signatures the elements being of castellated or comb-like form
    • B42B5/103—Devices for assembling the elements with the stack of sheets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42B—PERMANENTLY ATTACHING TOGETHER SHEETS, QUIRES OR SIGNATURES OR PERMANENTLY ATTACHING OBJECTS THERETO
    • B42B5/00—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching
    • B42B5/08—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching by finger, claw or ring-like elements passing through the sheets, quires or signatures
    • B42B5/10—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching by finger, claw or ring-like elements passing through the sheets, quires or signatures the elements being of castellated or comb-like form
    • B42B5/103—Devices for assembling the elements with the stack of sheets
    • B42B5/106—Devices for assembling the elements with the stack of sheets combined with manufacturing of the elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42B—PERMANENTLY ATTACHING TOGETHER SHEETS, QUIRES OR SIGNATURES OR PERMANENTLY ATTACHING OBJECTS THERETO
    • B42B5/00—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching
    • B42B5/08—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching by finger, claw or ring-like elements passing through the sheets, quires or signatures
    • B42B5/12—Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching by finger, claw or ring-like elements passing through the sheets, quires or signatures the elements being coils
    • B42B5/123—Devices for assembling the elements with the stack of sheets
    • B42B5/126—Devices for assembling the elements with the stack of sheets combined with manufacturing of the elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42C—BOOKBINDING
    • B42C1/00—Collating or gathering sheets combined with processes for permanently attaching together sheets or signatures or for interposing inserts
    • B42C1/12—Machines for both collating or gathering and permanently attaching together the sheets or signatures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6538—Devices for collating sheet copy material, e.g. sorters, control, copies in staples form
    • G03G15/6541—Binding sets of sheets, e.g. by stapling, glueing
    • G03G15/6544—Details about the binding means or procedure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6582—Special processing for irreversibly adding or changing the sheet copy material characteristics or its appearance, e.g. stamping, annotation printing, punching
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1229—Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1279—Controller construction, e.g. aspects of the interface hardware
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/50—Occurence
    • B65H2511/52—Defective operating conditions
    • B65H2511/528—Jam
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
    • B65H2601/10—Ensuring correct operation
    • B65H2601/11—Clearing faulty handling, e.g. jams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
    • B65H2601/20—Avoiding or preventing undesirable effects
    • B65H2601/25—Damages to handled material
    • B65H2601/255—Jam
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00789—Adding properties or qualities to the copy medium
    • G03G2215/00818—Punch device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00919—Special copy medium handling apparatus
    • G03G2215/00936—Bookbinding

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Paper Feeding For Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

An image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The image forming apparatus includes: a printing component; a punching section configured to punch the sheet printed by the printing section; a binding part configured to perform a binding process to form a bound product in which a binding member passes through a hole of a sheet; a first detection section configured to detect a first jam of the sheets in the binding section; a second detection section configured to detect a second jam of the sheet occurring upstream of the binding section; an annunciator configured to notify information; and a control section configured to cause the annunciator to notify first instruction information for instructing removal of the sheets and the binding member in a case where the first detection section has detected the first jam, and to cause the annunciator to notify second instruction information instructing removal of the second jam in a case where the second detection section has detected the second jam and the first detection section has not detected the first jam.

Description

Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
Technical Field
The invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.
Background
Heretofore, as one of post-processing functions that can be executed by a post-processing apparatus configured to post-process a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus, a function of aligning a plurality of printed sheets and executing processing (e.g., stapling) on the plurality of printed sheets has been known (U.S. patent No.8,690,145). As an example of this function, a ring binding process for obtaining bound printed matter by performing a punching process on an end portion of a sheet, inserting a ring binding member into a dot punched by the punching process, and binding the sheets is given. Depending on the shape of the binding member used for the binding process, the process is referred to as a "wire binding function", "loop binding function", or the like.
As an example of a binding method using a ring binding process, there is known a method of obtaining a bound printed matter by inserting a binding member formed of plastic or the like into a punched portion in a sheet bundle subjected to a punching process. As another example of a binding method using a ring binding function, there is known a ring binding process for inserting a wire binding member, which is formed of metal or other such material and cut to have an appropriate length corresponding to a sheet width, into a punched portion in a sheet bundle subjected to a punching process, and bending the wire binding member. The latter methods differ in the binding member used, but these methods include the same steps, and therefore these methods are collectively referred to as "thread binding function" in the following description. In order to distinguish the binding step using staples and the like, the binding step described herein is referred to as "line binding".
There is the following problem with regard to the wire binding function of cutting the binding member so that the binding member has an appropriate length. Now, it is assumed that some failures occur in the wire-binding function processing apparatus and the related apparatus of sheet conveyance during execution of the wire-binding process. Specifically, for example, the failure refers to occurrence of sheet jam. In recent image forming apparatuses, such occurrence of jamming and the position where the jamming occurs may be detected by various sensors.
When the occurrence of a jam is detected, the print processing is first stopped at an appropriate timing, and the subsequent print processing is temporarily suspended, or the print job itself relating to the generation of a printed matter is stopped. Next, the user of the image forming apparatus is notified of the fact that jamming has occurred, and guidance information for prompting recovery is presented on the operation unit or other units. When the user has removed the jam state at a position where the jam has occurred in the image forming apparatus, various sensors detect that the jam state is removed, suspend displaying the guidance information, and perform the resume process so that the print process can be performed. Specifically, the resume processing relates to, for example, processing for generating a printed matter, such as resuming a suspended print processing or executing a subsequent print job.
In the case of normal processing, the user removes the sheet that has caused the jam and the sheet fed after the sheet from the apparatus to effect recovery when the jam occurs. When the user removes the sheet or the like that has caused the jam from the apparatus, since the user touches the binding member arranged in the apparatus, for example, in the process for removing the sheet that has caused the jam, the binding member may be deviated from a predetermined position.
In this case, even if the position of the binding member is slightly deviated, a malfunction in the subsequent process may be caused. That is, even when the jammed state is removed, a phenomenon may be caused in which the binding member is not inserted through the punched portion of the punched sheet when a subsequent sheet is processed, i.e., when the subsequent sheet is stacked.
Further, when jamming occurs, the user may not think that the binding member needs to be removed, and the binding member that has deviated from the predetermined position may remain in the apparatus.
Disclosure of Invention
In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus configured to notify a user of appropriate operation instruction information for removing a jam occurring during a printing process of sheets accompanied by a binding process according to a position of the jam.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes:
a printing section configured to execute a printing process on a sheet;
a punching section configured to punch the sheet printed by the printing section;
a binding part provided with a stacking portion on which a plurality of sheets punched by the punching part are to be stacked, the binding part being configured to perform a binding process to form a bound product, wherein the binding member passes through holes of the plurality of sheets stacked on the stacking portion;
a first detection section configured to detect a first jam of the sheets in the binding section;
a second detection device configured to detect a second jam of the sheet occurring upstream of the binding member in the conveyance direction of the sheet;
an annunciator configured to notify information; and
a control section configured to cause the annunciator to notify first instruction information instructing to remove the sheets and the binding member which are located in the binding section and the binding process of which is not completed, if the first detection section has detected the first jam, and to cause the annunciator to notify second instruction information instructing to remove the second jam, if the second detection section has detected the second jam and the first detection section has not detected the first jam.
Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a printing system.
Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram for illustrating a functional configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus.
Fig. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G are diagrams for illustrating sheet processing.
Fig. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are schematic diagrams for illustrating a configuration around the stacked portion illustrated in fig. 3.
Fig. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E are diagrams for illustrating the form of the bound portion of the printed matter obtained by the binding process.
Fig. 7 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the operation section.
Fig. 8 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the operation section.
Fig. 9 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the operation section.
Fig. 10 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the operation section.
Fig. 11 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the operation section.
Fig. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus.
Fig. 14 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the operation section.
Fig. 15 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus.
Fig. 16 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus.
Detailed Description
Now, exemplary embodiments for implementing the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention according to the appended claims, and each combination of features described in the embodiments is not necessarily mandatory to implement the present invention.
< description of System configuration >
[ first embodiment ]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention is described.
Fig. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a printing system including an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the multifunction peripheral (MFP)101 is described as an example of an image forming apparatus, and the PC 102 is described as an example of a data processing apparatus. The MFP101 and the PC 102 are communicably connected to each other via the network 100, the MFP101 is configured to connect a punching apparatus for executing punching processing described later and a stapling apparatus for executing stapling processing to each other to execute sheet post-processing, and the PC 102 is configured to generate print information and transmit the print information to the MFP 101.
First, the PC 102 will be described. The PC 102 can execute different types of programs, for example, an application program for submitting a print job. A printer driver having a function of converting print data into a printer language compatible with the MFP101 is installed in the PC 102. A user who wishes to perform printing can give a print instruction from each of different types of applications and the like. The printer driver can convert data output by the application based on the print instruction into print data interpretable by the MFP101 and transmit the print data to the MFP101 connected to the network 100.
In the first embodiment, the data processing apparatus is exemplified by a PC, but may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or other such portable information terminal. The method of transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus can be modified as appropriate. The print data may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus via an application or a driver for printing, or may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus via a cloud server.
Next, the MFP101 will be described. The MFP101 has a reading function of reading an image on a sheet and a printing function of printing an image on a sheet. The MFP101 also has a post-processing function of stapling a plurality of sheets each having an image printed thereon, aligning the plurality of sheets, and sorting conveyance destinations of the plurality of sheets into a plurality of trays. Sheets include plain paper, thick paper, and other such papers and films.
In the first embodiment, the MFP101 is described as an example of an image forming apparatus, but the image forming apparatus may be, for example, a printer without a reading function. In the first embodiment, as an example, the image forming apparatus is assumed to include different kinds of components described below.
The MFP101 may be provided with a print control apparatus 103 having a part of functions included in the MFP101 and other auxiliary functions. In this case, from the viewpoint of the PC 102, the print control apparatus 103 can be considered to provide the functions of the MFP101 through the network 100. The print control apparatus 103 may be accompanied by different kinds of input/output devices, for example, a display apparatus (monitor) 105, which is the same input/output device included in the PC 102. Even when the print control apparatus 103 is installed in such an auxiliary manner, the MFP101 can be configured to be directly connectable to the network 100 by using the network cable 104. Each part forming the MFP101 is described below.
The printer portion 203 is configured to form (print) an image on a medium (sheet) fed from the sheet feeding portion by using toner based on image data. The configuration and operation principle of the printer portion 203 are as follows.
A light beam, for example, laser light, which has been modulated based on image data, is reflected by the rotating polygon mirror and applied as scanning light onto the photosensitive drum. An electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum by laser light is developed with toner, and the toner image obtained in this way is transferred onto a sheet adhered to a transfer drum. A series of image forming processes are sequentially performed on toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), thereby forming a full-color image on a sheet. The sheet on the transfer drum formed with the full-color image in this manner is conveyed to the fixing apparatus. The fixing device includes a roller and a belt, and further includes a heat source built in the roller, such as a halogen heater. The fixing device is configured to apply heat and pressure to the toner on the sheet to which the toner image has been transferred, to fix the toner on the sheet.
The printer portion 203 of the MFP101 of the first embodiment is provided with a scanner portion 201 and an operation portion 204 arranged on an upper surface of the printer portion 203. The operation portion 204 serving as an annunciator configured to notify information provides different kinds of interfaces used when the user performs different kinds of settings, operations, and the like on the printer portion 203 of the first embodiment. The MFP101 is also configured to be able to mount different kinds of auxiliary devices in addition to the printer portion 203. The printer portion 203 includes a sensor (second detector) 252 configured to detect a jam, and adopts a configuration in which an output of the sensor 252 is notified to the controller 205.
The large-capacity sheet feeding device 220 is a sheet feeding device detachably attached to the printer portion 203. The sheet feeding device includes a plurality of sheet feeding portions 225. With such a configuration, the printer portion 203 can execute print processing for a large number of sheets. The large-volume sheet feeding apparatus 220 includes a sensor 253 configured to detect jamming, and adopts a configuration in which the controller 205 is notified of the output of the sensor 253. A sheet feeding portion 225 is also included in the printer portion 203, and the printer portion 203 can perform a function similar to that of the sheet feeding apparatus 220. Those sheet feeding portions 225 included in the printer portion 203 are also referred to as "sheet feeding system apparatuses" in the present specification.
The inserter 221 is for inserting an inserter having an image formed thereon without intervention of the printer portion 203 into a sheet bundle each having an image formed thereon by the printer portion 203 to obtain a printed matter. In fig. 1, an apparatus is shown that includes two trays 226 and 227.
The punching device 222 serving as a punch configured to perform punching processing is configured to perform processing (sheet post-processing), such as punching processing, on a sheet fed by the printer portion 203 or the inserter 221. The device in the example shown in fig. 1 has a portion, called "mold", inside in an exchangeable manner. Thus, the apparatus includes a door 234 for changing the mold. The apparatus is described in detail later. As for the inner mold, different punching processes may be performed using a plurality of molds having different sizes of holes or having different numbers of holes. The punching device 222 includes a sensor 251 configured to detect a jam, and is notified to the controller 205 with the output of the sensor 251.
The binding apparatus 223 serving as a stapler is configured to execute the characteristic binding process in the first embodiment. Specifically, the binding apparatus 223 is configured to pass the binding member through the hole portions of the sheets subjected to the punching process by the punching apparatus 222, and deform the binding member, thereby obtaining the bound printed matter 423. The resulting bound printed products 423 are stacked on a printed product tray 422 arranged inside the binding device 223. A user may access bound printed matter 423 stacked on printed matter tray 422 by opening door 231. The binding device 223 further includes a door 232 configured to be opened and closed when the binding member is replenished. The door 231 is opened so that the user can access the sheet conveying path inside the binding apparatus 223 in the event of, for example, jam in the binding apparatus 223. The binding apparatus 223 is described in detail later. The binding device 223 includes a sensor (first sensor) 250 configured to detect a jam, and adopts a configuration in which an output of the sensor 250 is notified to the controller 205.
To perform staple binding processing for a plurality of sheet bundles, a finisher 224 is provided. Possible types of staple binding include corner binding, double-bit binding, saddle stitch splicing, and other such binding processes having a user-desired format. Finisher 224 is configured to deliver the stapled printed products to trays 228 and 229 in the case of corner binding or two-bit stapling and to deliver the printed products to tray 230 in the case of saddle stitch splicing. The inserter 221, the punching device 222, the binding device 223, and the finisher 224 are collectively referred to as a sheet processing apparatus 200 of the post-processing system.
Meanwhile, in fig. 1, apparatuses arranged on the left side of the printer portion 203 are collectively referred to as "sheet post-processing apparatuses". The sheet post-processing apparatus is configured to perform different kinds of post-processing and stacking processing on sheets subjected to print processing. The above-described sheet feeding system apparatus and sheet post-processing apparatus are collectively referred to as "sheet processing apparatus 200" in the following description. Next, the configuration (mainly software configuration) of the MFP101 of the first embodiment will be described.
Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram for illustrating a functional configuration of the MFP101 of fig. 1. The blocks shown in fig. 2 are divided into units according to the system, and thus, these units do not necessarily correspond to the units of the equipment components shown in fig. 1.
In fig. 2, the MFP101 includes a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as "HDD") 209 or other such nonvolatile memory capable of storing data on a plurality of jobs to be processed within its own apparatus.
The MFP101 has a copy function of storing data received from the scanner portion 201 in the HDD209, reading the data from the HDD209, and executing printing by the printer portion 203. The MFP101 also has a print function of, for example, storing job data received from an external apparatus through the external I/F part 202 illustrating a communication part in the HDD209, reading the job data from the HDD209, and executing printing by the printer part 203.
The scanner portion 201 is configured to read an original image, and perform image processing on image data obtained by reading an original to output the image data. The external I/F portion 202 is configured to transmit/receive image data and the like to/from a facsimile machine, a network-connected apparatus, or an external dedicated device. The HDD209 also stores different kinds of management information and the like permanently stored, changed, and managed by the MFP 101. The MFP101 further includes a printer portion 203 configured to execute print processing on job data to be printed stored in the HDD 209. The MFP101 further includes an operation portion 204 including a display 235 corresponding to an example of the user interface portion.
The controller 205 corresponding to an example of the controller included in the MFP101 includes a CPU (not shown), and is configured to collectively control processing and operations of different kinds of units included in the MFP 101. The ROM 207 stores different kinds of control programs necessary in the first embodiment, including programs to be executed by the controller 205 for executing different kinds of processing of flowcharts described later and the like. The ROM 207 also stores a display control program for displaying a different kind of user interface screen (hereinafter referred to as "UI screen") on the display 235 of the operation section 204 including the UI screen.
The CPU of the controller 205 reads and executes the program stored in the ROM 207, thereby causing the MFP101 to execute the different kinds of operations of the first embodiment. The ROM 207 also stores, for example, a program for causing the controller 205 to perform the following operations: this operation is for interpreting page description language (hereinafter referred to as "PDL") data received from an external device through the external I/F section 202, and decompressing the PDL data into raster image data (bitmap image data).
In the same manner, the ROM 207 stores, for example, a program for causing the controller 205 to interpret and process a print job received from an external apparatus through the external I/F section 202. These programs are handled in software. The ROM 207 is a memory that allows only reading and pre-storing of programs including programs for boot order, font information, and the like and various programs of the above programs. The different kinds of programs stored in the ROM 207 are described in detail later. The RAM208 is a memory capable of reading and writing and storing image data, different kinds of programs, setting information, and the like transmitted from the scanner section 201 and the external I/F section 202.
The HDD209 stores the image data compressed by the compression/decompression section 210. The controller 205 stores data on a job to be processed, which is input through each of different kinds of input units including the scanner portion 201 and the external I/F portion 202, in the HDD209, reads the data from the HDD209, outputs the data to the printer portion 203, and performs printing. The controller 205 also performs such control that the job data read from the HDD209 can be transmitted to an external device through the external I/F part 202. The controller 205 also controls the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 200.
Fig. 3 illustrates the structures of the binding device 223 and the sheet processing apparatus 200 arranged around the binding device 223 illustrated in fig. 1. Specifically, in fig. 3, an inserter 221, a punching device 222, a binding device 223, members relating to the binding process of these devices, and mechanisms thereof are as follows. The pair of members each having a circular shape shown in fig. 3 represents a schematic arrangement of rollers for conveying a sheet.
The image-formed sheet printed by the printer portion 203 is conveyed from the dot indicated by the inserter insertion path 401 to the apparatus in the subsequent stage, i.e., the conveyance path 403 inside the inserter 221 in the first embodiment. The inserter 221 is also configured to be able to convey the sheet to the conveyance path 403 without intervention of the printer portion 203. Specifically, the inserter 221 is configured to be able to guide the sheet placed on the tray 226 or 227 to the conveying path 403 via the conveying path 402. The trays 226 and 227 are each provided with a sensor 410 for enabling discrimination of whether sheets are stacked. The sheet having passed through the conveying path 403 is guided to the inside of the punching apparatus 222 as an apparatus in a subsequent stage (downstream of the inserter 221).
In the punching apparatus 222, the sheet is guided to different conveyance paths depending on whether or not processing by the punching apparatus 222 is necessary. That is, in a case where no processing is required, the sheet is guided to the inside of the binding apparatus 223 as an apparatus in a subsequent stage via the conveying path 404. Meanwhile, in a case where processing by the punching apparatus 222 is required, the sheet is guided to the processing portion 412 via the conveying path 405. The conveying path of the sheet is switched by controlling the flapper 411 at such a position that the sheet is guided to a predetermined conveying path. In the processing portion 412, sheet processing for performing punching processing on the guided sheet at a predetermined position thereof is executed. A portion indicated by a punch chip accumulation portion (punch chip accumulation portion)413 is a point for accumulating punch chips. The sheet processed by the processing portion 412 is guided to a conveying path 407 within the binding apparatus 223 as an apparatus in a subsequent stage (downstream of the punching apparatus 222) via the conveying path 406. The processing section 412 and the type of processing performed by the processing section 412 will be described later.
The sheets guided to the inside of the binding apparatus 223 are guided to different conveying paths depending on whether or not the binding process to be performed by the binding apparatus 223 is required. The conveying path is switched by changing the position of the flapper 414 at such a position that the sheet is guided to a predetermined conveying path. That is, in a case where the staple process is not required, the sheet is conveyed to the apparatus in the subsequent stage via the conveyance path indicated by the conveyance path 408. Meanwhile, in a case where the binding process is required, the sheet is controlled to be guided to the conveying path 409. The sheet guided to the conveying path 409 is guided to the sheet stacking portion 415.
In fig. 3, a binding member 417 and a stacked sheet 418 are shown in the sheet stacking portion 415. As described below, the binding process of the first embodiment employs the following method: the binding member is passed through the sheet subjected to the punching process by the punching apparatus, and is subjected to a deforming process, thereby obtaining a bound printed matter. Therefore, the sheet guided to the sheet stacking portion 415 via the conveying path 409 needs to be subjected to punching processing having a predetermined format.
Specifically, the sheet needs to be subjected to punching processing in such a format that the binding member 417 is passed through a portion in the punched sheet subjected to punching processing. The format of the binding member 417 and the punching process is described later. The binding apparatus 223 further includes a binding member supply portion 420 for pulling out the binding member 417 by a length necessary for processing of the sheets from a holding portion 419 for the binding member, then cutting the binding member 417, and precisely arranging the binding member 417 at a predetermined position of the above-described sheet stacking portion 415.
When stacking of all sheets requiring binding processing is completed, deformation processing of the binding member 417 is performed by the processing portion 416. As a result of the above-described processing, the bound printed matter subjected to the binding processing is obtained by the processing portion 416. The produced bound printed products are guided to a printed product tray 422 via a conveying path 421. Fig. 3 is a diagram of a state in which the produced bound printed matter 423 is stored in the printed matter tray 422.
A jam that is a sheet conveyance failure around the conveyance path, the rollers, the stacking mechanism, and the binding mechanism shown in fig. 3 is notified to the controller 205 by the sensors 250 arranged at a plurality of positions of the conveyance path. A sensor (not shown) is configured to notify the controller 205 of the open/close states of the doors 231 and 232 included in the binding device 223 and whether or not the binding device 223 succeeded in the binding process.
Fig. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G are diagrams for illustrating sheet processing (punching processing) in the punching apparatus 222 illustrated in fig. 3. This example is an example of a punching process of opening punched holes on a sheet by the processing portion 412. The processing portion 412 is configured such that a punching die referred to as a die 501 shown in fig. 4A can be arranged in a replaceable manner. Now, details of processing (e.g., punching) performed on the sheet by the processing portion 412 illustrated in fig. 3 are described with reference to fig. 4A to 4G. The mold 501 is replaced by an operator.
The sheet to be processed 505 illustrated in fig. 4C is a sheet to be subjected to punching processing, and is a print sheet or sheet inserted from the inserter 221, which is guided to the processing portion 412 via the conveying path 405 in fig. 3. The arrangement of the punches 502 is securely fixed by support posts 503. When the pressure PF is applied from above the die 501 as shown in fig. 4A, the punch 502 protrudes downward as shown in fig. 4B. The punches 502 each have a tip having a sharp shape suitable for the punching process. As a result, the punching process is performed on the sheet 505 to be processed placed below the mold 501. A drill bit may be used as the punch 502.
The die 501 is provided with different kinds based on a required shape, the number of holes, and the like of the punch, and is configured to be flexibly replaceable. For example, as shown in fig. 4D, in order to obtain a printed matter in which two holes 516 each having a circular shape are formed in the sheet 506 subjected to the two-hole punching process, a die 501 having a shape corresponding thereto is arranged on the processing portion 412. Meanwhile, as shown in fig. 4E, in order to obtain a printed matter in which four holes 517 each having a rectangular shape are formed in the sheet 507 subjected to the four-hole punching process, the mold 501 having a shape corresponding thereto may be arranged on the processing portion 412 in the same manner.
The punching apparatus 222 of the first embodiment can also perform processing other than punching processing by such a mechanism of the punching apparatus 222 that causes processing of a sheet placed below the die 501 by applying pressure from above the die 501. Specifically, as shown in fig. 4F, a process for placing a crease 509 in a sheet 508 subjected to a creasing process may also be performed. A punching process for realizing the binding process of the first embodiment is described below with reference to fig. 4G for illustrating the sheet 510 subjected to the binding punching process.
As described above with reference to fig. 3, the binding process uses a mechanism for stacking sheets so that the fixed binding member 417 is engaged with the hole of the sheet subjected to the punching process. Therefore, at the time of the binding process, it is necessary to mount the die 501 suitable for the binding process by the binding apparatus 223 on the punching apparatus 222. Specifically, the number of holes as the punching attribute needs to be matched with the binding member 417 as the binding attribute. This is because, as described above, the binding process requires a process for engaging the binding member 417 with the hole portions 504 of the sheet 510 and deforming the binding member 417.
In addition, as shown in fig. 4G, the interval 511 between holes formed in the sheet 510 and the interval 512 between penetrating portions of the binding member 417 need to be matched with each other, and the binding member 417 cannot be passed through the holes unless the size 514 of the penetrating portions of the binding member 417 is smaller than the size 513 of the holes.
Fig. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are schematic diagrams for illustrating a configuration around the sheet stacking portion 415 illustrated in fig. 3, and are used to describe an outline of a mechanism of the binding process of the present invention.
Fig. 5A illustrates a state of the sheet stacking portion 415 exhibited before the start of the processing. In a gap 603 between the binding member fixing parts 601 and 602, a binding member 417 cut at a predetermined length described with reference to fig. 3 is arranged and fixed.
As illustrated in fig. 5B, after the binding member 417 is supplied to the sheet stacking portion 415, the binding member 417 is accurately arranged and fixed at a predetermined position by the binding member fixing portions 602 and 601. Subsequently, the punched sheets 418 are stacked in this state, so that the binding member 417 passes through the sheets 418, as shown in fig. 5C. The control binding member 417 is accurately arranged with respect to the number and position of holes of the sheets conveyed to be stacked so that the binding member 417 passes through the sheets. When the stacking of the last sheet is completed, the binding member 417 is bent and deformed, thereby obtaining such a bound printed matter (bound product) as shown in fig. 5D.
To describe the mechanism of the binding process, the shapes of the sheet stacking portion 415, the members formed thereon, and the binding part 417 are simplified, and these shapes are not limited to the shapes shown in fig. 5A to 5D. For example, in order to facilitate the bending process, it is conceivable to use a binding member originally having a bent shape instead of the binding member having a linear shape as shown in fig. 5A to 5D. Different kinds of hole numbers, spacings, shapes etc. are also conceivable, but it should be understood that the invention is applicable to any form of these properties as long as the content of the appended claims is fulfilled.
Fig. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E are diagrams for illustrating the form of the bound portion of the printed matter obtained as a result of performing the binding process of the first embodiment.
Fig. 6A is a view for illustrating a printed matter viewed from the direction of a binding portion where the printed matter is bound. In this state, the first sheet 701, the second sheet 702, and the subsequent sheet 703 have been stacked in the sheet stacking portion 415 in the stacking order described, and have been subjected to the binding process in this way. This is a method of bending the binding member 417 passing through the sheets to have a loop shape to bind the sheets. Therefore, as shown in fig. 6A, the binding portion is formed to have a shape in which the bottom 707 of the binding member 417 and the penetrating portion (i.e., the upper 708) of the binding member 417 are alternately arranged.
However, as a printed matter, a printed matter having such a form that the bottom section 707 and the upper section 708 of the binding section are alternately exposed is significantly deteriorated mainly in appearance quality.
Thus, a state shown in fig. 6B is realized in which the first sheet 701 of printed matter subjected to the binding process is turned over toward the opposite direction of binding the printed matter. In this way, the state shown in fig. 6A in which the bottom section 707 and the upper section 708 are exposed can be solved, and a printed matter having an appearance of preferable quality is obtained. Further, the order in which the sheets of the printed matter are stacked is determined as the order in which such processing for inverting the first sheet 701 in the opposite direction is taken.
Further, a binding member 417 having a predetermined size is supplied to the binding apparatus 223, and the number of sheets or the bundle thickness of sheets forming bound printed matter at the same time may vary depending on the number of pages of print job data and the type of sheet to be used. In order to obtain bound printed matters having various bundle thicknesses on the assumption of this fact, the binding apparatus 223 sets in advance a configuration such that bound printed matters having different bundle thicknesses can be appropriately produced by enabling the binding member 417 to be replaced with a binding member having a different size.
For example, fig. 6C and 6D show bound printed products viewed from the direction of the cross section of the binding members 705 and 706 in the case where the binding members 705 and 706 having different sizes are used. However, even a sheet bundle having the same bundle thickness may be subjected to a binding process using the binding members 705 and 706 having different sizes unless the bundle thickness exceeds the size of the binding members 705 and 706.
However, a preferred printed matter is obtained by using a binding member 705 or 706 having a size suitable for the bundle thickness. It should be understood that the above-described preference depends on the subjective view of the user who uses the MFP 101. However, as shown in fig. 6E, the sheet bundle thickness may exceed the size that enables the binding member 706 to bind the sheet bundle. In this case, the binding apparatus 223 cannot execute the process for producing bound printed matter regardless of the above-described subjective point of view of the user. In this case, the user cannot obtain a general printed matter other than the processed one by reducing the bundle thickness or replacing the binding member 705 with one having a larger size.
Fig. 7 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the display 235 of the operation section 204. This example is an example of a setting screen in a copy job. In fig. 7, buttons corresponding to various desired settings are arranged so that various settings relating to the production of bound printed matter can be made using the binding setting screen 800. As described above, information input to the operation section 204 by the operator is transmitted to the controller 205, and the screen displayed on the operation section 204 is switched by an instruction received from the controller 205.
When receiving an instruction to display the bookbinding setting screen 800 from the operator, the controller 205 displays the bookbinding setting screen 800 illustrated in fig. 7 on the operation portion 204. The bookbinding setting screen 800 is one of screens related to copy setting, and is a screen for specifying bookbinding imposition and finishing.
In fig. 7, imposition designation buttons 801 to 803 are buttons for designating a method of arrangement of images (imposition). The selected imposition designation button is displayed in a different color from the other buttons. The plurality of imposition designation buttons are not simultaneously brought into a selected state. In the case where one imposition designation button is selected while the other imposition designation button is already in a selected state, the newly selected imposition designation button is changed to a selected state, and the selected state of the imposition designation button previously in the selected state is cancelled. In the case where the selected state of the imposition designation button is stored in the RAM208, the selected state is set to the initial state, and in the case where the selected state of the imposition designation button is not stored, the state where the non-bookbinding imposition designation button 803 is selected is set to the initial state.
The binding imposition designation button 801 is one of imposition designation buttons, and saddle stitch binding imposition can be designated by bringing the binding imposition designation button 801 into a selected state. In saddle stitch bookbinding imposition, images are rearranged so that two images are printed on one sheet. In the finishing process, the sheet is folded at its center to obtain a book-like output.
The line-bound imposition designation button 802 is one of imposition designation buttons, and the line-bound imposition can be designated by putting the line-bound imposition designation button 802 in a selected state. As described above with reference to fig. 6A to 6E, the line-bound printed matter requires changing the order in which the sheets are stacked. Specifically, it is necessary to change the stacking order by rearranging the images so that the last sheet as the back cover is output first. By selecting the line-bound imposition designation button 802, processing necessary for changing the stacking order is executed. The control-line binding imposition designation button 802 is displayed only when the binding apparatus 223 is connected to the MFP 101. In addition, the control-line binding imposition designation button 802 is selectable only when the die 501 mounted to the punching apparatus 222 configured to perform punching processing is suitable for line binding.
The non-binding imposition designation button 803 is one of imposition designation buttons, and it is possible to designate non-binding imposition by putting the non-binding imposition designation button 803 in a selected state. In the case where bookbinding imposition is not designated, one sheet of image is printed on one side of paper in sequence. The designation of one-sided printing or two-sided printing may be set on a general imposition designation screen (not shown).
The sort designation buttons 804 to 807 are buttons for designating a sort method. The selected finishing designation button is displayed in a color different from the other buttons. Further, the plurality of finishing designation buttons do not enter the selection state at the same time. In a case where one sort-specifying button is selected and the other sort-specifying button is already in the selected state, the newly selected sort-specifying button is changed to the selected state, and the selected state of the sort-specifying button that was in the selected state before is canceled. In the case where the selected state is stored in the RAM208, the selected state is set to the initial state, and in the case where the selected state is not stored in the RAM208, the state where the non-finishing designation button 807 is selected is set to the initial state.
The fold and saddle stitch designation button 804 is one of finishing designation buttons, and it is possible to designate a process for folding the sheets at the center and a process for binding the sheets with staples by bringing the fold and saddle stitch designation button 804 into a selected state. By designating the folding and saddle-stitching designation button 804 together with the bookbinding imposition designation button 801, a book-like printed matter subjected to saddle-stitching can be obtained.
The folding designation button 805 is one of finishing designation buttons, and processing for folding a sheet at the center can be designated by putting the folding designation button 805 in a selected state. By designating the folding designation button 805 together with the bookbinding imposition designation button 801, a book-like printed matter can be obtained.
The wire binding specification button 806 is one of finishing specification buttons, and it is possible to specify binding using a wire by making the wire binding specification button 806 in a selected state. By designating the wire binding specification button 806 together with the wire binding imposition specification button 802, an output product subjected to the binding process after being bound with wires can be obtained. In the same manner as the line binding imposition designation button 802, the line binding designation button 806 is displayed only when the binding apparatus 223 is connected to the MFP 101. In addition, the wire binding designation button 806 is selectable only when the die 501 attached to the punching apparatus 222 is suitable for wire binding.
The non-sort designation button 807 is one of sort designation buttons, and it is possible to designate not to perform sort by putting the non-sort designation button 807 in a selected state. When finishing is not performed, finishing processing related to stapling is not performed.
The cover sheet designation button 808 is a button for designating a cover sheet. In the case where the cover sheet designation button 808 is selected, the controller 205 temporarily stores the selection states of the imposition designation buttons 801 to 803 and finishing designation buttons 804 to 807 in the RAM208, and displays a cover sheet setting screen (not shown). On the cover setting screen, the type and print side of the paper to be used for the cover can be specified. When the designation of the cover setting screen ends, the controller 205 reads the selection state of the buttons stored in the RAM208, sets the read selection state to the initial state, and then displays the bookbinding setting screen 800 on the operation portion 204.
An open mode designation button (how-to-open designation button)809 is a button for designating the opening direction of the binding. In a case where the open mode designation button 809 is selected, the controller 205 temporarily stores the selection states of the imposition designation buttons 801 to 803 and finishing designation buttons 804 to 807 in the RAM208, and displays an open mode setting screen (not illustrated). On the opening manner setting screen, the opening direction of the binding may be specified. In a case where the designation of the open mode setting screen ends, the controller 205 reads the selection state of the buttons stored in the RAM208, sets the read selection state to the initial state, and then displays the bookbinding setting screen 800 on the operation section 204.
The paper setting button 810 is a button for specifying paper to be used. In a case where the sheet setting button 810 is selected, the controller 205 temporarily stores the selection states of the imposition designation buttons 801 to 803 and finishing designation buttons 804 to 807 in the RAM208, and displays a sheet setting screen (not shown). When the setting processing of the sheet setting screen is ended, the controller 205 reads the selection state of the buttons stored in the RAM208, sets the read selection state to the initial state, and then displays the staple setting screen 800 on the operation section 204.
The setting cancel button 811 is a button for completing the stapling setting. Upon receiving the selection of the setting cancel button 811, the designation of the imposition method and finishing method performed on the bookbinding setting screen 800, the cover setting performed on the cover setting screen, the designation of the opening direction performed on the opening manner setting screen, and the paper setting performed on the paper setting screen are discarded without being stored, and the screen transitions back to the previously displayed screen.
An OK button 812 is a button for completing the stapling setting. Upon receiving the instruction to the OK button 812, the designation of the imposition method and finishing method performed on the bookbinding setting screen 800, the cover setting performed on the cover setting screen, the designation of the opening direction performed on the open manner setting screen, and the paper setting performed on the paper setting screen are stored in the RAM208 as settings for a copy job, and the screen transitions back to the previously displayed screen.
In the case where transition is made from the bookbinding setting screen 800 without an instruction to any of the cover designation button 808, the opening manner designation button 809, the paper setting button 810, the setting cancel button 811, and the OK button 812, the designation of the imposition method and the finishing method performed on the bookbinding setting screen 800, the cover setting performed on the cover setting screen, and the designation of the opening direction performed on the opening manner setting screen are discarded. However, in the case of a screen protection program or other such screen transition that is temporary and returns to the bookbinding setting screen 800 after cancellation, the temporarily stored setting is not discarded.
In the bookbinding setting screen 800 shown in fig. 7, when the instruction to execute a copy job under a predetermined setting is given by the operation portion 204, the controller 205 executes the copy job based on the bookbinding setting screen 800 or various settings (not shown). As a result, the modules constituting the MFP101 shown in fig. 1 are controlled to operate.
In the following description of the effects of the first embodiment, it is assumed that on the binding setting screen 800, the conditions of the line-binding imposition designation button 802 and the line-binding designation button 806 are selected by an operation on the binding setting screen 800. To describe the effect of the present invention, the setting of the copy job on the staple setting screen 800 other than the line-bound imposition designation button 802 and the line-bound designation button 806 is not necessary. Therefore, any designation can be set for the wire binding process.
Fig. 8 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen displayed on the operation section 204 illustrated in fig. 2. This example corresponds to processing to be executed when execution of a copy job based on the stapling setting or various settings (not shown) shown in fig. 7 is instructed via the operation portion 204. Specifically, this example is an example of a print status screen 900 to be displayed on the operation portion 204 in a state where the controller 205 executes print processing according to a copy job. The operation section 204 is controlled by the controller 205 to display on the print status screen 900.
As shown in fig. 8, a progress information display area 901 related to the running copy job is displayed based on information on various settings set on the staple setting and copy job setting screen (not shown) shown in fig. 7. The progress information display area 901 related to the copy job includes a total original page display area 902 for displaying the number of pages of the original read by the scanner portion 201 for printing. The progress information display area 901 further includes a sheet count display area 903 for displaying the number of printed sheets and a print progress display area 904 for displaying the set number of copies to be printed and the number of printed copies. Among these areas, the print progress display area 904 is controlled so that the controller 205 appropriately updates the information of the print progress display area 904 on the operation portion 204 as the processing of the copy job by the MFP101 proceeds.
In fig. 8, in the case where a cancel button 905 is pressed, the MFP101 is controlled by the controller 205 to cancel execution of a copy job. In the case where the off button 906 is pressed, the controller 205 controls the operation section 204 to stop the process of displaying the progress information display area 901. This operation is required in the case where the user of the MFP101 first performs another job (for example, performs setting of the next print processing in preference to confirmation of the progress status of the copy job shown in fig. 8). Similarly, for example, in a case where the MFP101 instructs the operation portion 204 to display other information in order to change various setting information of the MFP101, for example, this operation is required.
The status display area 907 is an area capable of displaying the processing status of the MFP101 and information on, for example, various errors in a simplified manner. The operation section 204 performs processing of controlling the state display area 207 and switching details to be displayed therein under the control of the controller 205. The MFP101 is configured such that the status display area 907 is always displayed at the bottom of the display area of the operation portion 204. In the example shown in fig. 8, information to the effect that the MFP101 is performing printing is presented.
Fig. 9 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the operation section 204 illustrated in fig. 2. This example is an example of a jam removal instruction screen 1000 to be displayed on the operation portion 204 in a case where a jam occurs at the printer portion 203, the printer portion 203 being upstream of the stapling apparatus 223 in the sheet conveying direction. Specifically, this example is an example of the jam removal instruction screen 1000 based on the following assumption: the copy job is executed with the line-binding imposition designation button 802 and the line-binding designation button 806 selected on the binding setting screen 800 shown in fig. 7. The operation section 204 executes processing of displaying the jam-removal instruction screen 1000 based on control of the controller 205. Screen components displayed on the jam removal instruction screen 1000 will now be described.
The jam occurrence position detailed information 1001 is information for displaying to the user whether or not a jam occurs at any one of the portions of the apparatuses constituting the MFP101 shown in fig. 1 or around the portion where the jam occurs. As shown in fig. 9, information that the jam has occurred in the printer portion 203 is presented. Similarly, the mark 1003 is displayed together with the external view of the MFP101, which means a configuration in which a method of enabling the user of the MFP101 to easily recognize the jam occurrence position can be provided.
In the case where the jam occurs along with the above-described display information, the jam removal instruction screen 1000 is displayed so that the user can quickly recognize the jam position and easily perform an operation of removing the jam state. The indication information presentation area 1002 is used to present information on processing required to remove a phenomenon (i.e., a jam at the printer portion 203 in the example of fig. 9) currently occurring in the MFP101 specifically to the user of the MFP 101. In this example, the indication information presentation area 1002 presents indication information for indicating to open a door of a specified portion to access the inside of the apparatus, remove a sheet causing a jam, and return the door to an original position. The controller 205 performs display control of the operating portion 204 so that the operating portion 204 presents appropriate information on the indication information presenting area 1002, so that the user of the MFP101 can easily remove the state based on the details and the position of the phenomenon that has occurred.
The next screen transition button 1006 is used to instruct a screen transition for displaying a next instruction in a case where there are a plurality of positions where the jam state needs to be removed or there is a phenomenon in which another is to be removed because the jam removal by the printer portion 203 is insufficient to return the MFP101 to the normal state. However, in the example shown in fig. 9, an example is shown in which only a single jam occurs in the printer portion 203 and there is no other removal process. Accordingly, the controller 205 controls the display state of the operation section 204 so that the next screen transition button 1006 becomes gray and cannot be selected. Therefore, no unnecessary indication of opening the door is given. In particular, it is possible to avoid errors in restarting the binding process due to the doors of the binding apparatus and the punching apparatus being opened, and the user inadvertently touching the positioned binding member to cause the binding member to deviate to an unintended position.
A close button 1005 is a button to be used when the screen on the jam-removal instruction screen 1000 is closed to transition to another screen. For example, when the user of the MFP101 has something to handle in preference to removing the jam, the operation section 204 needs to display a screen for performing an operation. However, in order to display the screen, it is necessary to allow the user to close the screen shown in fig. 10 to transition to another screen. The close button 1005 is provided with this condition. The status display area 1004 of the jam removal instruction screen 1000 presents information that is approximate to the occurrence of a jam in the MFP 101.
Fig. 10 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the operation section 204 illustrated in fig. 2. This example is an example of a jam removal instruction screen 1100 to be displayed on the operation section 204 in the case where a jam occurs in the binding apparatus 223. Specifically, this example is an example of a jam removal instruction screen 1100 to be displayed when a copy job is executed in a case where a line-binding imposition designation button 802 and a line-binding designation button 806 are selected on the binding setting screen 800 shown in fig. 7. Further, fig. 10 is an example of displaying the binding apparatus 223 as information on a position where the jam has occurred as the first operation instruction information. A message "please open the door of the binding apparatus 223 to remove the jammed sheet and close the door" is displayed. On the operation screen, the user needs to be presented with an operation instruction, and thus the button 1103 is displayed in an operable manner. The operation section 204 performs processing of displaying a screen based on control of the controller 205. Now, the screen components shown in fig. 10 are described below. A description of details overlapping with those of fig. 9 is omitted.
The jam occurrence position detailed information 1101 is information for displaying to the user whether or not a jam occurs at any one of the portions of the apparatuses constituting the MFP101 shown in fig. 1 or around the portion where the jam occurs. In the example of fig. 10, information that the jam has occurred in the binding device 223 is presented. Further, in an external diagram of the MFP101, in a manner different from the case shown in fig. 9, a mark 1106 is displayed around the binding device 223. With these pieces of information, information that the user of the MFP101 is supposed to have jammed inside the binding device 223 is presented.
The indication information presentation area 1102 is used to specifically present to the user of the MFP 101: the phenomena currently occurring in the MFP, the jam in the binding apparatus 223, and the operation procedures for removing these phenomena. As shown in fig. 10, the indication information presentation area 1102 presents indication information for indicating that the door of the specified portion (more specifically, the door 231 included in the binding device 223) is opened to access the inside of the apparatus and remove the sheet causing the jam.
In contrast to the example shown in fig. 9, the next screen transition button 1103 shown in fig. 10 does not become gray. This means that, in the case where jamming has occurred in the binding apparatus 223 shown in fig. 10, an additional work needs to be performed in addition to the removal of the sheet causing the jamming, which requires an instruction for the work. More specifically, it can be easily understood that in the case where jamming has occurred in the binding apparatus 223 in the course of executing the printing process in which line binding has been specified, the user needs to remove the sheet causing the jamming. However, the user may not know the necessity of removing the binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418. In view of this, the next screen transition button 1103 for transitioning to the next instruction screen to instruct removal of the binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418 is controlled in fig. 10 to enable selection without graying out. The status line 1104 indicates that a paper jam has occurred.
Fig. 11 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen to be displayed on the display 235 of the operation section 204. This example is an example of a removal instruction screen 1200 to be displayed after the next screen transition button 1103 is pressed on the jam-removal instruction screen 1100 shown in fig. 10. The controller 205 controls processing of displaying the removal instruction screen 1200. Now, the screen components shown in fig. 11 are described. Fig. 11 is an example of the display binding device 223 as information on a position where jamming has occurred serving as the first operation instruction information. A message "please remove the binding member of the binding apparatus 223 and the stacked sheets, and close the door" is displayed. On this operation screen, the user needs to be presented with an operation instruction, and therefore the button 1202 is displayed in such a manner that selection is disabled (graying out).
The removal instruction information presentation area 1201 illustrated in fig. 11 corresponds to a state in which information for requesting the user of the MFP101 to remove the binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418 is presented. The operation presented on the screen shown in fig. 11 is not to remove the jam itself that caused the stop of the print processing by the MFP 101. However, due to the nature of the binding apparatus 223 included in the MFP101, in the event of a jam occurring within the binding apparatus 223, information can be presented to the user that the intended midway printed matter (i.e., the cut and arranged binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418) also needs to be removed.
In the state shown in fig. 11, when the binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418 are removed and the door 231 is closed, the jam occurring in fig. 10 and all recovery processing related thereto are completed. Therefore, the user of the MFP101 does not need to be given an additional instruction by the next screen transition button 1202 shown in fig. 11. Therefore, the controller 205 controls the display of the operation section 204 so that the next screen transition button 1202 is grayed out and cannot be selected in fig. 11.
Fig. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating control of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. This example is an example of processing performed by the controller 205 when a copy job is executed by the MFP 101. Each step is realized by a CPU included in the controller 205 that executes a control program stored in the ROM 207. In step S1301, the controller 205 receives an operation of various settings related to execution of a copy job. The operation in this step is performed via the operation section 204, and the operation and input of the operation section 204 or the selected operation details are stored in the RAM208 by the controller 205. Further, a setting operation on the bookbinding setting screen 800 shown in fig. 8 is also included in this step. When the setting operation is completed by using the operation section 204, the process advances to step S1302. In step S1302, the controller 205 causes the operation portion 204 to wait for an instruction from the user of the MFP101 to start a copy job.
When the start of the copy job is instructed, the process advances to step S1303, and the controller 205 instructs the scanner portion 201 to start a process of reading an original to be copied. Further, the controller 205 stores the image information read by the scanner section 201 in the HDD209, and controls the modules shown in fig. 2 so that the image information is held until the print processing. When reading of the original is completed, the controller 205 performs print processing, that is, print generation processing of the copy job based on the setting set in step S1301.
In step S1304, the controller 205 determines whether or not the line binding is set as the setting of the copy job. When the wire binding is set, in step S1305, the controller 205 controls the binding apparatus 223 so that the binding member supply portion 420 supplies the binding member 417 to predetermined positions of the binding member fixing portions 602 and 601 in the sheet stacking portion 415 in advance. On the other hand, in the case where the line binding is not set in step S1304, the binding member 417 does not need to be supplied, so the controller 205 skips step S1305 and proceeds to the sheet feeding process and other subsequent processes of step S1036.
In step S1306, the controller 205 causes the sheet supply portion 225 to supply a sheet to be used for print processing of a copy job, and in step S1307, causes an image to be formed on the sheet based on the image information stored in the RAM208 in step 1303.
The processing for the sheet on which the image is formed differs depending on whether or not the line binding is set in the copy job. Therefore, in step S1308, the controller 205 determines whether or not the wire binding process is set in step S1301. In the description of fig. 4G, it is mentioned that in the case where the controller 205 determines that the line binding process is set, the punching process corresponding to the line binding needs to be performed. Accordingly, the controller 205 advances to step S1309, and the controller 205 causes the punching apparatus 222 to perform punching processing corresponding to line binding on the sheet on which the image is formed. Then, in step S1310, the controller 205 executes a process of stacking the punched sheets with the binding member 417 arranged in the sheet stacking portion 415.
On the other hand, in a case where the controller 205 determines that the line binding process is not set in step S1308, the punching process corresponding to the line binding is not necessary, so the process proceeds to step S1311. In step S1311, the controller 205 performs processing other than the set line binding on the sheets on which the images are formed, and in step S1312, stacks these sheets at positions other than the paper stack portion 415 (for example, the trays 228, 229, and 230). In the configuration of the MFP101 illustrated in fig. 1, processing of sheets on which images are formed other than line binding corresponds to, for example, processing of sheets in a form other than the sheets 510 subjected to the binding punching processing illustrated in fig. 5A to 5D. In a case where a setting requiring some kind of processing is not set as a setting of a copy job in step S1301, and sheets on which images are formed can be discharged in an unprocessed state to, for example, trays 228, 229, and 230, this step need not be executed.
In step S1313, the controller 205 determines whether all sheets to be printed are output. In this case, in a case where the controller 205 determines that there is a sheet to be output, the controller 205 returns the process to step S1306 to perform a process of outputting the sheet to be output. On the other hand, in a case where the controller 205 determines that all sheets to be printed have been output, the controller 205 advances the process to step S1314.
A series of processes from step S1306 to step S1313 forms a loop process. Further, the steps included in the loop processing are described in a manner of sequential processing in the flowchart of fig. 12. However, the MFP101 of the present invention may be controlled such that these flows are processed in parallel. That is, for example, the controller 205 may be configured to control the modules shown in fig. 2 such that, after sheets on which images are formed are stacked in step S1310 or step S1312, sheet feeding processing of subsequent sheets is not performed in step S1306, and sheet feeding processing of subsequent sheets is actually performed earlier in consideration of the time required for the foregoing processing.
In step S1314, the controller 205 determines whether the setting processing in the copy job (i.e., the details set in step S1301) contains the line binding setting. In the case where the wire binding setting is included, in step S1315, the controller 205 causes the binding apparatus 223 to perform wire binding. Specifically, the processing section 416 performs processing, i.e., deformation processing, on the binding member 417.
More specifically, as shown in fig. 6A to 6E, the binding apparatus 223 is controlled by the controller 205 to perform processing for deforming the binding member 417 and processing it by the processing portion 416 with the holes of the stacked sheets 418 engaged with the binding member 417 to produce a printed product shown in fig. 6D.
On the other hand, in step S1314, in a case where the controller 205 determines that the details set in step S1301 do not include the line binding setting, the controller 205 causes other processing to be executed in step S1316. Specifically, the other processing corresponds to processing such as staple binding or saddle stitching by the finisher 224. In the case where no other processing is set in step S1301, the processing in step S1301 may be omitted.
In the case where either one of step S1315 and step S1316 is completed, the controller 205 controls the conveyance so that the produced printed matter is discharged to the trays 228 and 229, thereby allowing the discharge of the printed matter, and the printed matter production process in the copy job is completed. In the case where copies of a plurality of printed matters are generated, after completion of step S1317, the process returns to step S1304 again to repeat the above-described process for the plurality of copies. A detailed description thereof is omitted herein.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. This example is a flowchart for illustrating processing of the controller 205 to be executed in the case where a jam has occurred in the processing steps from step S1316 to step S1317 of the MFP101 illustrated in fig. 12. Each step is realized by a CPU included in the controller 205 that executes a stored control program.
Specifically, in the process flow shown in fig. 12, jamming may occur in any one of the sheet feeding process, the discharge, and the process of the printed matter. Therefore, the controller 205 of the MFP101 of the first embodiment detects the occurrence of a jam in the process of executing the control of the copy job illustrated in fig. 12. The controller 205 performs control such that the flow shown in fig. 12 is interrupted in the case where a jam is detected and the flow of the jam removal processing shown in fig. 13 is executed.
In step S1401, the controller 205 acquires a position where the jam has occurred based on information from the sensors 250, 251, 252, and 253. The jam occurrence position is detected by the modules involved in the sheet processing from step S1306 to step S1316 of fig. 12 (for example, the sheet processing apparatus 200 and the printer portion 203 shown in fig. 2). Then, in the case where the jam is detected, the controller 205 is notified of auxiliary information, for example, a detailed position of a module where the jam occurs. Further, in the case where jams occur at a plurality of positions of the printing system or jams occur in the preceding sheet and the subsequent sheet cannot be conveyed, these jams are notified from a plurality of modules to the controller 205.
Therefore, the processing of step S1402 and subsequent processing form loop processing for displaying a plurality of instruction screens and presenting these screens to the user so as to remove all jams that have occurred in the plurality of positions. As a result of the determination of step S1402, in the case where the controller 205 determines that all the jams have been removed, the flow ends.
Any configuration may be adopted as to whether or not the processing is resumed from the point in time when the copy job is interrupted due to jamming after the flow of fig. 13 ends. In step S1402, in a case where the controller 205 determines that there is a jam to be resolved, in step S1403, the controller 205 selects a position of the jam to be resolved, that is, a position of the jam to be removed.
In step S1404, the controller 205 determines whether the selected position of the jam to be resolved is within the binding device 223. In a case where the controller 205 determines that the selected position of the jam to be resolved is within the binding apparatus 223, in step S1405, the controller 205 determines whether or not line binding is set in the copy job.
In step S1405, in a case where the controller 205 determines that the wire binding is set, that is, in a case where the controller 205 determines that the wire binding job is in progress and a jam occurs in the binding apparatus 223, the process proceeds to step S1406. In this case, the user needs to open the door 231 included in the binding apparatus 223 to perform the jam processing within the binding apparatus 223 in order to remove the jam in the binding apparatus 223. In this case, as shown in fig. 10, before being stacked on the sheet stacking portion 415, the binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418 need to be removed in addition to the sheets, and thus such a notification needs to be presented to the user of the MFP 101.
Therefore, in step S1406, as illustrated in fig. 10, the controller 205 performs an operation of displaying a screen for removing a sheet that is a cause of the occurrence of the jam (i.e., a screen for enabling the next screen transition button 1103 because the next removal job is required). The operation shown in the flow remains at step S1406 until the user presses the next screen transition button 1103.
In step S1406, in a case where the controller 205 confirms that the next screen transition button 1103 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1407 and other subsequent processes. Then, the controller 205 displays a removal instruction screen 1200 required in the case where a jam has occurred in the binding apparatus 223 shown in fig. 11 during execution of the wire binding process. The removal instruction screen 1200 is an example of a screen for instructing the next jam removal operation. In fig. 11, an example of a next screen transition button 1202 grayed out on the removal instruction screen 1200 is shown. However, this is an example of a case where there is no position in the MFP101 where an additional jam needs to be removed (that is, a case where a next jam removal screen does not need to be displayed).
However, in the case where the jam is notified from the sheet processing apparatus 200 or the printer portion 203 other than the binding device 223 to the controller 205, the necessity of removing the jam state needs to be displayed on the operation portion 204. In step S1407, the controller 205 determines whether there is additional work to be performed for removing the jam, that is, whether the next screen transition button 1202 shown in fig. 11 needs to be grayed out. In a case where the controller 205 determines that an additional operation of removing the jam is required, in step S1408, the controller 205 causes the operation section 204 to display the removal instruction screen 1200 shown in fig. 11 with the next screen transition button 1202 in a selectable state. In contrast, in step S1407, in the case where the controller 205 determines that the additional operation of removing the jam is not necessary, in step S1409, the controller 205 causes the operation section 204 to display the removal instruction screen 1200 shown in fig. 11 in which the next screen transition button 1202 is in the unselected state (the grayed-out state).
In either one of step S1408 and step S1409, the controller 205 performs control so as not to allow the user to continue the processing of step S1408 and step S1409 until the user completes the removal of the halfway printed matter, and closes the door 231 or presses the next screen transition button 1202.
In a case where the controller 205 determines that the door 231 is closed or the next screen transition button 1202 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1413. Then, the controller 205 excludes the card jam processed after the above-described step S1403 from the at least one card jam to be removed that has occurred in the MFP101, and the process proceeds to step S1402.
In this way, the controller 205 performs control such that the operation section 204 does not display a screen for instructing removal of the removed jam phenomenon in a repeated manner.
Now, the description returns to step S1404 and step S1405 of the flowchart shown in fig. 13. In step S1404, in a case where the controller 205 determines that the position where the jam has occurred is not inside the binding device 223, or in step S1405, in a case where the controller 205 determines that the line binding is not set, the process proceeds to step S1410.
The processing in this case is processing to be executed in a case where it is determined that a jam selected to be solved has occurred within the binding apparatus 223, and a jam has occurred on the condition that line binding is not set in the loop processing from step S1402 to step S1413. In other words, the binding member 417 is not cut or arranged in step S1305 shown in fig. 12. Therefore, the removal instruction screen 1200 does not require work for removing the binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418.
Therefore, contrary to the processing from step S1406 to step S1409, only the jam removal instruction screen indicating the position where the jam has occurred needs to be presented, that is, only the instruction corresponding to the jam removal instruction screen 1000 shown in fig. 9 needs to be presented. However, in the case where there are a plurality of jam occurrence positions, it is necessary to determine whether control of pressing the one-screen transition button 1103 is enabled. Therefore, in step S1410, the controller 205 determines whether there is a remaining operation. That is, the controller 205 selectively switches between transitioning to step S1411 and transitioning to step S1412 depending on whether the next screen transition button 1103 is to be grayed out on the UI screen.
The processing of step S1411 and step S1412 does not continue to execute the subsequent steps until the user removes the jam of the MFP101 or presses the next screen transition button 1103. In the case where the jam is removed or the next screen transition button 1103 is pressed, the processing proceeds to step S1413. This concludes the description of the first embodiment.
According to the first embodiment, in the case of producing a bound printed matter, information for appropriately performing the removal processing of the jammed state that has occurred can be presented to the user. Thus, it is possible to provide an effective method for suppressing the occurrence of wasted sheets or binding members and the occurrence of errors in the recovery binding process.
[ second embodiment ]
Now, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment will be described assuming the state of fig. 9 in the first embodiment. That is, the second embodiment will be described assuming that jamming occurs at a position (for example, the printer portion 203) other than the binding device 223 in the copy job in which the line binding is set.
Fig. 14 is a diagram for illustrating a UI screen displayed on the operation section 204 illustrated in fig. 2. In this example, in a state where the MFP101 shown in fig. 1 is arranged under the above-described conditions, the user should open a door included in the printer portion 203 in order to remove a jam occurring in the printer portion 203. However, the user may open the door 231 of the bookbinding device 223 by mistake. This screen is an example of the sheet jam processing screen 1500 displayed on the operation portion 204 by the controller 205 in this case. Components of the UI screen shown in fig. 14 that are the same as those of the UI screen shown in fig. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Further, in the example shown in fig. 9, the position where the jam occurs is the printer portion 203. Accordingly, the MFP101 can be restored to a state in which the print generation processing can be restored by the user of the MFP101 opening the door of the printer portion 203 and removing the jam of the printer portion 203 in accordance with the instruction of fig. 9. However, the user may open the door 231 of the binding apparatus 223 according to his or her intention, an erroneous decision, or an erroneous operation in a state where no jam occurs in the apparatus. In this case, it may not be possible to return the MFP101 to the printable state only by removing the jam in the printer portion 203.
Specifically, by opening the door 231, it is necessary to remove the cut binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418 arranged in the binding apparatus 223 in addition to the jam occurring in the printer portion 203.
Therefore, on the UI screen shown in fig. 14, the next screen transition button 1501 changes from the non-pressable state (grayed-out state) to the pressable state. The display is controlled so that the jam information continues to be presented unless the user removes the jam state in the printer section 203 and then presses the next screen transition button 1501. The display is controlled such that, in a case where the next screen transition button 1501 illustrated in fig. 14 is pressed, the screen transitions to a screen for instructing removal of the binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418 illustrated in fig. 11.
Fig. 15 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. In this example, in the MFP101, it is assumed that jamming occurs at a position other than the staple device 223 during execution of the copy job, and the print processing is stopped. Such processing is an example of processing to be executed in a case where the controller 205 detects opening of the door in any one of the modules of the sheet processing apparatus 200 and the printer portion 203 in this state. Each step is realized by a CPU included in the controller 205 that executes a stored control program.
Therefore, in the case where the opening of the door is detected, the controller 205 interrupts the processing of the flow executed by the controller 205 before the detection, and executes the flow shown in fig. 15.
In step S1601, the controller 205 determines whether the job is running if the opening of the door is detected. In step S1601, in a case where the controller 205 determines that the job is not running, the cut binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418 should not remain in the sheet stacking portion 415 within the binding apparatus 223. In other words, it is not necessary to add a flow of presenting additional information for removing the halfway printed product described with reference to fig. 14. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S1607, and the status display area 1004 on the screen shown in fig. 9 may display information to the effect that the door is opened as an example.
In step S1601, in a case where the controller 205 determines that the job is running, in step S1602, the controller 205 determines whether line binding is set for the running job. At this time, in a case where the controller 205 determines that the line binding is not set, the process proceeds to step S1607.
On the other hand, in a case where the controller 205 determines in step S1602 that line binding is set for the job in operation, the process proceeds to step S1603, and the controller 205 determines whether the opened door is the door 231 of the binding apparatus 223.
In step S1603, the state in which the opened door is the door 231 of the bookbinding apparatus 223 is the following state: a state in which the door is opened, stapling of the running job is set, and the door 231 of the stapling apparatus 223 is opened is detected during execution of the job.
That is, when the condition is satisfied, the printed matter in the middle needs to be removed. Therefore, even when the jam occurrence position detected in step S1403 shown in fig. 13 does not involve the bookbinding device 223, it is necessary to add a condition for transition to the screen of fig. 11 via the screen of fig. 14.
Therefore, in step S1604, the controller 205 additionally registers a phenomenon that the door 231 of the bookbinding device 223 is opened together with the detection result as the step S1403. Further, the next screen transition button 1006 is grayed out on the screen shown in fig. 9, but it is necessary to perform transition of the screen for instructing removal of the printed matter in the middle.
Therefore, in step S1605, the controller 205 determines whether the state of the next screen transition button 1006 is valid, and in the case where the controller 205 determines that the state of the next screen transition button 1006 is invalid, that is, in the case where the controller 205 determines that the next screen transition button 1006 is grayed out, the controller 205 proceeds to step S1606 to enable transition to the next screen. Then, in step S1606, the controller 205 controls the screen of the operation portion 204 so that the next screen transition button 1103 can be selected.
Fig. 16 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. This example is an example of processing to be executed by the controller 205 in the case where a jam occurs. Description of the same processing as that of fig. 13 in the first embodiment is omitted. Steps S1701 to S1713 of fig. 16 are the same as steps S1401 to S1413 of fig. 13. Each step is realized by a CPU included in the controller 205 that executes a stored control program.
In step S1714, the controller 205 determines whether the door 231 of the binding apparatus is open. The determination of this processing in step S1714 results from the following case. Specifically, in the aforementioned step S1704, it is determined that the position where the jam has occurred is in the binding apparatus 223. Further, in step S1705, it is determined that line binding is set for the running job. Further, despite the fact that the jam phenomenon is not a jam of an actual sheet but a jam occurring at a position other than the binding apparatus 223, the door 23 of the binding apparatus 223 on which the halfway-line-bound printed matter is stacked is opened. Therefore, the determination of whether the door is opened in step S1714 corresponds to the determination of whether the removal instruction is generated.
Specifically, the controller 205 determines whether the jam information is added in the process of step S1604 of fig. 15. Therefore, in step S1714, in a case where the controller 205 determines not to execute the process of step S1604, the process proceeds to step S1707. That is, in the case where only the jam information that the jam is intended to occur in the binding apparatus 223 is given, the process shifts to fig. 10 of the first embodiment.
However, in the second embodiment, no jam occurs in the binding apparatus 223, and thus it is not appropriate to display the UI screen shown in fig. 11. Therefore, in the second embodiment, in step S1714, the controller 205 performs processing of determining that the door of the door 231 is open, so that it can be displayed that only the midway printed matter in fig. 12 is removed. This concludes the description of the second embodiment.
Thus, the user who has confirmed that the button 1202 grayed out on the display screen of fig. 12 only removes the jam inside the binding apparatus 223 and completes the work. As a result, the user does not open the door of the device where no jam has occurred.
[ third embodiment ]
Now, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. A description is given with reference to fig. 9 of the first embodiment. The description is given based on the following assumptions: a cancel button 905 is pressed on the print status screen 900 during execution of the copy job to which the line binding is set.
The interruption of the print processing is performed at any time after the notification controller 205 detects the pressing of the cancel button 905. However, it is not preferable to stack sheets that have been fed just before the stacking portion of the MFP101 due to interruption of the printing process.
This is because the user is forced to perform work for removing the sheet existing on the conveyance path due to the jam. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the conveyance processing, the image forming processing, or the processing of the sheet that has been fed is not stopped, and the processing is continued with the cancel button 905 pressed. Then, the sheet that has been fed is conveyed to the stacking portion, while the sheet feeding process for the subsequent sheet is maintained.
Therefore, under the above-described conditions, the sheet that has been fed with the cancel button 905 pressed is subjected to the image forming process and the punching process, and is engaged with the binding member 417 of the sheet stacking portion 415 in the binding apparatus 223. Then, the image forming process is interrupted.
The binding member 417 and the stacked sheets 418 in the binding apparatus 223 are no longer handled as finished printed products and therefore need to be removed. Accordingly, the controller 205 can be configured to control the MFP101 so that the screen transitions to the state of fig. 11 after the copy job is stopped by pressing the cancel button 905 of the print state screen 900 of fig. 8.
In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given taking the binding process for punched sheets as an example. The sensor 251 included in the punching apparatus 222 is configured to detect jamming, and thus the above-described control can also be applied to the jam removal process of the punching apparatus 222. In this case, display control similar to that by the operation screen display process of the printer portion 203 can be applied to the jam removal process of the punching apparatus 222. Further, in a case where the power of the entire printing system is turned on and, for example, it is detected that the user has forgotten to remove the bound printed matter, the controller 205 controls the display of the UI screen shown in fig. 10 and the UI screen shown in fig. 11, thereby enabling the user to be instructed to appropriately remove the printed matter.
Further, in the case of starting a print job in which the punched sheets are subjected to the staple processing and then interrupting the job processing, the controller 205 controls the display of the UI screen illustrated in fig. 10 or the UI screen illustrated in fig. 11, so that the user can be instructed to appropriately remove the printed matter.
Further, in the printing system according to the third embodiment, after the jam is removed, the job is controlled to be resumed in a unit of a part.
According to the third embodiment, it is possible to notify the user of appropriate operation instruction information for removing a jam according to the position where the jam has occurred during the printing process for sheets subjected to the binding process.
(other embodiments)
Embodiments of the invention may also be implemented as follows: a computer of a system or apparatus that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments, and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments; and computer-implemented methods by the system or apparatus, e.g., by reading and executing computer-executable instructions from a storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or to control the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU), Micro Processing Unit (MPU)) and may include a separate computer or a network of separate processors to read out and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. For example, the storage medium may include one or more of the following: a hard disk, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), memory for a distributed computing system, an optical disk (e.g., Compact Disk (CD), Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), or Blu-ray disk (BD) TM), flash memory devices, memory cards, and the like.
The embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a method in which software (programs) that perform the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or an apparatus through a network or various storage media, and a computer or a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Micro Processing Unit (MPU) of the system or the apparatus reads out and executes the methods of the programs.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims (7)

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a printing section configured to execute a printing process on a sheet;
a punching section configured to punch the sheet printed by the printing section;
a binding part provided with a stacking portion on which a plurality of sheets punched by the punching part are to be stacked, the binding part being configured to perform a binding process so as to form a bound product in which a binding member passes through holes of the plurality of sheets stacked on the stacking portion;
a first detection section configured to detect a first jam of the sheets in the binding section;
a second detection section configured to detect a second jam of the sheet occurring upstream of the binding section in the conveyance direction of the sheet;
an annunciator configured to notify information; and
a control component configured to: the annunciator is caused to notify first instruction information for instructing removal of the sheets and the binding member which are located in the binding means and have not completed the binding process, in a case where the first detection means detects the first jam, and is caused to notify second instruction information for instructing elimination of the second jam, in a case where the second detection means detects the second jam and the first detection means does not detect the first jam.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means causes the annunciator to notify first operation instruction information for removing the sheets before being stacked on the stacking portion of the first instruction information, and subsequently causes the annunciator to notify second operation instruction information for removing the binding member and the sheets stacked on the stacking portion of the first instruction information.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means causes the annunciator to notify, as the second instruction information, third operation instruction information for removing the sheets upstream of the binding means.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means causes the annunciator to notify position information for identifying a position where the jam has occurred.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the binding means performs the binding process by: the punched sheet is stacked on the stacking portion such that the binding member arranged in the stacking portion passes through the hole of the punched sheet, and the binding member passing through the hole is bent in a loop shape to bind the punched sheet.
6. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: a printing section configured to execute a printing process on a sheet; a punching section configured to punch the sheet printed by the printing section; a binding part provided with a stacking portion on which a plurality of sheets punched by the punching part are to be stacked, the binding part being configured to perform a binding process so as to form a bound product in which a binding member passes through holes of the plurality of sheets stacked on the stacking portion; and an annunciator configured to notify information, characterized in that the control method includes:
a first detection step of detecting a first jam of the sheets in the binding member;
a second detection step of detecting a second jam of the sheet occurring upstream of the binding member in the conveyance direction of the sheet; and
a control step of causing the annunciator to notify first instruction information for instructing removal of the sheets and the binding member which are located in the binding part and have not completed the binding process in a case where the first jam is detected in the first detection step, and causing the annunciator to notify second instruction information for instructing elimination of the second jam in a case where the second jam is detected in the second detection step and the first jam is not detected in the first detection step.
7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a control method of an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: a printing section configured to execute a printing process on a sheet; a punching section configured to punch the sheet printed by the printing section; a binding part provided with a stacking portion on which a plurality of sheets punched by the punching part are to be stacked, the binding part being configured to perform a binding process so as to form a bound product in which a binding member passes through holes of the plurality of sheets stacked on the stacking portion; and an annunciator configured to notify information, characterized in that the control method includes:
a first detection step of detecting a first jam of the sheets in the binding member;
a second detection step of detecting a second jam of the sheet occurring upstream of the binding member in the conveyance direction of the sheet; and
a control step of causing the annunciator to notify first instruction information for instructing removal of the sheets and the binding member which are located in the binding part and have not completed the binding process in a case where the first jam is detected in the first detection step, and causing the annunciator to notify second instruction information for instructing elimination of the second jam in a case where the second jam is detected in the second detection step and the first jam is not detected in the first detection step.
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